“Poetic Utterances,” a showcase of the work of Bay Area artist Viviana Paredes at San Jose’s MACLA gallery, is a powerful exploration of memory and culture.
Paredes is a mixed-media artist whose work draws on her childhood experiences and the “plant wisdom” passed down by her grandmother, a curandera or healer. This exhibition, which opened Sept. 4 and runs through Nov. 15, explores those cultural ties and incorporates the agave plant to create a connection to the earth and to Latin American culture. The skins are used as their own medium, and Paredes has created large glass representation of the stalks, resting on beds of cedar.
“Mexiote,” an piece by artist Viviana Paredes made with organic materials include skin from the agave plant, is on display as part of “Poetic Utterances,” an exhibition of Paredes’ work at MACLA, 510 S. First St., in downtown San Jose through Nov. 15, 2026. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Area News Group)
The most powerful of the pieces is a multimedia installation that incorporates glass sculptures and projections, created in collaboration with Jesse Gilbert, a fellow Lucas Artist in Residence at the Montalvo Arts Center. It’s better experienced than described and should be seen in person. You really should try to hear Paredes share her thoughts about the exhibition on Oct. 2, when she’ll conduct an artist talk at 6:30 p.m.
MACLA is at 510 S. First St. in downtown San Jose. Go to www.maclaarte.org for more details and hours.
THEATER REBIRTH: Syufy Enterprises confirmed Wednesday that after Cinemark exits the Century 16 in Mountain View on Sept. 25, it will eventually reopen the movie theater that it originally opened back in 1985.
“We know there’s been concern in the community about the future of this theater,” Nancy Crane, vice president of theater operations at Syufy Enterprises, said. “The theater will not be closed permanently. We originally built this theater, and we’re returning to keep it open for the community that has supported it for so many years.”
More details on Syufy’s plans and a timeline for reopening will be announced in October. Syufy Enterprises’ history with the movies goes back to 1942, when Raymond Syufy Sr. opened his first theater in Vallejo. The company was best known in the Bay Area for its Century 21, 22 and 23 domed theaters on Winchester Boulevard, designed by architect Vincent Raney. The Century 16 in Mountain View also had domed ceilings — though these were octagonal, not round — on its auditoriums.
Syufy, then operating as Century Theatres, sold the chain to Cinemark in 2006, and moved into the fitness center business, though it held on to a few drive-in movie theaters and some property, including the Century 16.
ARTISTIC TAKE: The San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art is opening a show featuring works by Los Angeles artist Greg Ito on Sept. 18. “To Give and Take,” features new paintings and sculptures along with a video installation and previous works in Ito’s colorful, graphic style. The exhibition draws on Shel Silverstein’s 1964 picture book, “The Giving Tree,” about the one-sided relationship between a tree and a boy who relies on the tree for shelter, sustenance and more as he grows older.
Curator Zoë Latzer will give a members-only talk at 5 p.m., followed by the opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. For more information, go to www.icasanjose.org.
HAPPY (HOLLOW) BIRTHDAY: A festive crowd of 330 people enjoyed an al fresco picnic dinner last Saturday night at the fourth annual Hooray for Happy Hollow. The fundraiser was also a celebration of Happy Hollow Park & Zoo’s 65th anniversary, and included a tribute to a few people who have been involved since the very early days.
Auctioneer Mark Alman got to have some fun with the items up for bid, including a private culinary experience offered by Aqui Cal-Mex founding chef Rob Francis and his wife, Teri Francis, the restaurant’s founding manager. But the sweetest auction item was a pair of cakes decorated to honor the zoo’s newest resident, Sonries the jaguar, created by by C’est Ci Bon Bakery and Icing on the Cake. It brought in nearly $12,000 total.
Auctioneer Mark Alman walks through the audience during Hooray for Happy Hollow, a fundraiser to support Happy Hollow Park & Zoo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Area News Group)